The other bugs

By Amanda Cuda

Published 10:08 am, Wednesday, January 30, 2013

By now, you know that this is a bad year for the seasonal flu. You know all about the importance of the flu shot. You know to wash your hands and to not come into close contact with infected individuals.

But in the midst of all this flu-ha-ha, it's easy to forget that influenza isn't your only health worry this time of year.

"Certainly, there are other viral illnesses out there — not just the flu," said Dr. Frank Scifo, medical director of the multi-specialty group at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport.

So what other ailments are plaguing the East Coast? The common cold, for one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 200 viruses that can cause that illness, often marked by runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and coughing.

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Rhinovirus is the most common, and Dr. Zane Saul, chief of infectious diseases at Bridgeport Hospital, said he has been seeing a bit of that floating around. "That causes a lot of colds," he said.

Respiratory illnesses are also a concern this time of year, including pneumonia.

Moving down the body, stomach bugs are another seasonal concern. There are a number of bugs to worry about, but two of the most common are rotavirus and norovirus. Both of these viruses cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis, causing about 20 million cases of it a year.

But viruses aren't your only non-flu foes Other seasonal issues include the exacerbation of chronic conditions, such as heart problems or asthma.

One issue that gets almost as much press as the flu is shoveling snow. There's a reason for that, Scifo said. Most winters, particularly those with significant snow fall, people overestimate how much work they can do outdoors. "There are patients who are basically couch potatoes who want to go out and shovel snow," he said. This can lead to a variety of problems, including injuries or heart attacks.

Scifo said one little-known health risk of the cooler months is isolation. People don't feel like going outside — which means they don't feel like going out to their annual check-up or venturing to a teeth cleaning. "They kind of let those standing appointments go," he said.

So how do you keep safe from these less publicized problems? For the viruses, many of the prevention techniques mirror those for staving off the flu — hand-washing, staying away from those who are ill and generally taking good care of yourself.

As for anything else, just exercise good common sense. Don't skip your doctor's appointment. And don't think you can suddenly become an Olympic athlete when snow is on the ground. "Don't overtax yourself," Scifo said.